Breaking news

NRL clubs step into spotlight in doping probe

North Queensland, Penrith, Canberra, Newcastle, Cronulla and Manly have come forward to acknowledge their clubs were referred to in the Australian Crime Commission's report into drugs in sport.

The NRL put the heat back on its sides after the ACC granted the league permission to notify the clubs referred to in the ACC's Project Aperio report.

The Cowboys, Panthers, Knights, Raiders, Sharks and Sea Eagles have all released statements confirming they have been contacted by the NRL.

NRL chief executive David Smith will hold a press conference at 11am (AEDT) on Tuesday.

Manly was the last team to release an official statement, stating that the club would continue to co-operate with the ACC, ASADA and the NRL.

"The Sea Eagles condemn unreservedly any use of illegal performance-enhancing substances by players,” Manly general manager David Perry said.

"We are unaware of any use of illegal performance enhancing substances by any member of the Sea Eagles squad."

Perry confirmed that the club had been visited by auditors Deloitte last week to collect information relating to Manly's sports science program.

The Cowboys had put a statement out on Monday night.

"We have been mentioned in the report but we have no information on the context," Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain said in a statement.

"Like all NRL clubs mentioned in this report, we will co-operate fully with the NRL and ASADA.

"Until we receive a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, we will not be making any further public comment.

"We strongly support this investigation."

No other details

Penrith executive general manager Phil Gould also released a statement confirming the club's involvement.

"Last night ARL Commissioner David Smith called to inform me that the Panthers club has been 'implicated or referred to' in the Australian Crime Commission Report," Gould said.

"At this stage, that is all the information David was permitted to relay to us. No other details are available at this time."

"As we have stated previously, Panthers welcomes the opportunity to assist in any enquiry or investigation and we look forward to a speedy resolution to this matter, both for our club and the code of Rugby League."

The Knights commented on Tuesday morning, releasing a brief statement through chief executive Matt Gidley, saying that the club had been contacted overnight by the NRL but had no further information.

"Our club will co-operate with any official inquiry," Gidley said.

"We maintain full confidence under the management of Wayne Bennett.

"Until we receive further information from the NRL and / or ASADA, there is nothing further we can add."

Bennett said he is in the dark about what the Knights may be accused of.

"They want us to confess something but what are we meant to confess to," Bennett said at Knights training on Tuesday.

"Under the Hunter Sports regime there is nothing to hide. I have spoken to the players and the staff and we have nothing to hide.

"We have complied with everything we have been asked to and will continue to do so."

Bennett said everything has been above board since he arrived at the Knights at the end of 2011 but said auditors are checking records back to 2005.

Clubs were told they were in the report but were not given specific information as to the nature of the investigations, with the ACC report making links between the widespread use of banned substances, organised crime and match-fixing.

All 16 clubs were contacted for comment on Monday night, with Canterbury, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane, Parramatta, Wests Tigers and South Sydney all claiming they had not been contacted by the NRL.

The NRL said it was not legally permitted to name the clubs, or specify just how many clubs were involved.

"The information that has been passed on to the clubs is simply that they have been referred to within the report," NRL chief executive Dave Smith said.

"The NRL is working with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) who will establish a more detailed briefing with the clubs regarding its investigation.

"The NRL does not have authority to name the clubs or confirm the number referred to in the report.

"Regardless of the outcome of any investigation, we are already committed to establishing the strongest integrity and compliance unit of any code and we are determined to see rugby league stronger for having addressed these issues."

The Raiders confirmed they had been contact by the NRL but had no further details and chief executive Don Furner said the club would assist the NRL and ACC in any investigations surrounding the club.

"Our club will continue to work with the NRL and ACC until these matters are resolved and will update our members, sponsors and supporters when we can," Furner said in the statement.

Cronulla issued a similar statement confirming that the Sharks were one of the clubs referred to in the ACC report, and saying there was no further comment.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy had backed calls on Monday for clubs and fans to be given some clarity.

"I think a lot of people have said in our game and in other codes that we'd like them to name names, team or individuals," Bellamy said during a press conference to announce his re-signing with the Storm.

The Nine Network on Monday claimed Curtis Johnston, a lower grader with NRL club South Sydney, had been stood down as part of an investigation into allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.